Inside Kiganjo: Where Kenya’s police recruits train before sunrise

Police recruits during a training at the Kenya police college in Kiganjo/COURTESY

At the National Police College (NPC) main campus in Kiganjo, mornings begin before sunrise. Recruits sprint across the fields, rifles in hand, as drills echo across the campus while Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Munga Nyale oversees every movement.

For him and the instructors, training is not merely a job; it is a mission to produce officers who uphold the law, protect citizens and embody the highest standards of the National Police Service.

“Our day here starts very early, sometimes at 2 am, and we move through activities until about 7 pm,” Nyale says in an interview. These hours, he explains, are more than routine; they are a calling. “This is not a job; this is a calling because when you want to join the service, you must be selfless.”

Nyale, who has served in the police for 35 years, has seen the service evolve alongside society. “The way we used to do things when I was a recruit, and even when I was a serving officer, is not the way things are done at the moment because society itself is evolving. Our policing roles must change with time.”

At Kiganjo, Nyale takes a hands-on approach. “I am there every morning with them. I follow closely, and sometimes I personally participate. For example, we must begin with the morning run,” he explains.

The sprawling campus accommodates thousands of recruits who undergo a mix of physical drills, classroom lessons and field exercises. “The recruits do drills.

After that, we have breakfast and then go to classes. Others are at the range doing firing and manoeuvres, while others are in class taking courses in law and the Evidence Act,” Nyale says.

Recruits participate in a physical field exercise at dawn at Kiganjo college/COURTESY 

He emphasises the importance of lawful policing. “When you operate as a police officer, you must make sure you are within the law and observe human rights. That is the only way you can operate in a society that will accept being policed,” he says.

Managing the largest police training institution in Kenya requires leadership, structure and a passion for training. “I have involved everybody in the management of the college.

First of all, you must love training. You must be a trainer. Personally, I’m a professional teacher, having trained at Kagumo College way back in 1988, so training has been in me all through. Right now, I’m navigating my common waters,” he explains.

Nyale oversees a complex structure. “The college is subdivided into two schools: the School of Leadership and the School of Basic Training,” he says.

“As a police officer, we have values we must sustain. My happiness is to produce an ideal police officer who respects the rule of law. That officer will be an all-round officer who can make society proud by serving with a lot of good policing knowledge. That is all I love about training.”

The current cohort of recruits began training on December 16, 2025. The session was officially opened by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who reminded recruits of the solemn responsibility they were undertaking.

“The National Police Service is a national security organ established under the Constitution and the law, mandated to maintain law and order, enforce the law, and provide public safety and security,” Kanja told the recruits. “Your enlistment into the Service reflects your potential, character and commitment to serving the nation.”

Recruits participate in drill exercise at Kiganjo college/COURTESY 

The Inspector General also highlighted the symbolic weight of the police badge.

“The badge you aspire to wear symbolises a solemn promise to protect and serve, often at great personal risk. Through this training, you will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitude and character to discharge your duties effectively and professionally,” Kanja said.

“This is not just a job. You have a responsibility to be part of the change that this country desires to see in its police service. Kenyans deserve effective, people-centred and accountable policing for a safe and prosperous society,” he added.

Discipline, teamwork and accountability are central to the ethos instilled at Kiganjo. Nyale says, “These values are vital not only during training but throughout an officer’s career. We aim to produce officers who will serve the community with integrity and professionalism.”

The 2025 training exercise involves 10,000 recruits nationwide. While Kiganjo handles a significant portion, other recruits are stationed at the National Police Service College campus ‘B’ for the General Service Unit (GSU) and campus ‘A’ for the Administration Police (AP) in Embakasi.

Recruits participate in drill exercise at Kiganjo college/COURTESY 

For the GSU, recruits undergo basic training at Embakasi before proceeding to Magadi for field and tactical exercises. AP recruits follow a similar path, training at Embakasi before attending field exercises in places such as Kitui.

Nyale underscores that producing competent officers requires a balance of structure, mentorship and personal involvement. “I personally participate in the training because I believe in leading by example.

You cannot just delegate; you must engage. Training is not theoretical; it is practical. It is about shaping character, instilling discipline and fostering respect for the law,” he says.

Physical training is just as critical as classroom instruction. “Every morning, we start with a run. We then proceed to drills, tactical exercises and firearms training. The classroom sessions cover law, ethics and human rights. We must ensure that these officers operate within the law and serve society responsibly,” Nyale explains.

As the day winds down at Kiganjo, the commandant reflects on the broader mission. “My happiness is seeing a recruit grow into a professional, law-abiding and socially responsible officer. That is the core of what we do here. Every officer who graduates from Kiganjo carries our values into the field,” he says.

National Police College (NPC) main campus commandant Munga Nyale during an interview/COURTESY